Every bill in the General Assembly involving money must have a fiscal note attached describing its cost. Since these never make it into political fodder, this is where things better of hidden, are voted on unseen… One can learn a lot by looking at the fiscal bills…

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147th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

FISCAL NOTE

Bill: HOUSE BILL NO. 165

sponsor: Representative Jaques

DESCRIPTION: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EDUCATION AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.

ASSUMPTIONS:

1. This Act is effective July 1, 2013.

2. This Act will fund minor capital improvements at the same level as Vocational Technical School Districts whereby the state will provide 100 percent of funding for minor capital improvements versus the current formula of 60 percent of funding.

3. The proposed level of funding for minor capital improvements for charter schools included in the Fiscal Year 2014 Governor’s Recommended Capital Budget updated for current school year enrollment is $528,597. This amount represents 60 percent of funding for minor capital improvements. This Act will increase the proposed level of funding to $880,454, an impact of $351,857 as it represents 100 percent of funding for charter school minor capital improvements. These estimates do not include Pencader Charter School as it is scheduled to close at the end of the current school year.

4. This Act also establishes a Charter School Performance Fund that is subject to an appropriation and shall not exceed $5.0 million annually. The Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Act, as written by the Joint Finance Committee, includes an appropriation of $2.0 million for the Charter School Performance Fund pending the passage of this Act.

5. The Charter School Performance Fund is to be administered by the Department of Education through an application process focusing on an applicant’s performance, supplemental non-state sources of funding, plans for start-up or expansion, and service to high-need students, as defined by the Department of Education.

Cost:

Fiscal Year 2014: $351,857 for minor capital improvements

Indeterminable for the Charter School Performance Fund as it is subject to available appropriation ($2.0 million is included in the FY 2014 Budget)

Fiscal Year 2015: $351,857 for minor capital improvements

Indeterminable for the Charter School Performance Fund as it is subject to available appropriation.

Fiscal Year 2016: $351,857 for minor capital improvements

Indeterminable for the Charter School Performance Fund as it is subject to available appropriation.

Office of Controller General (Amounts are shown in whole dollars)

June 03, 2013

MJ:MJ

0271470011

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Fiscal Conservatives should be up in arms because the if this bill passes, the amounts for The Charter Performance fund are undetermined as of yet. It will bust the budget by $3 million dollars! THAT’S THREE TIMES MORE THAN THE PORT OF WILMINGTON IS PUTTING US IN THE RED EACH YEAR !!!!!!!!!!!

yes. That may just end the Republican Party when word gets out what they did… Especially in Sussex County.. I know if I was a Republican living in Sussex County, i’d be IPOD right now. for me, my kid’s future would seem way too important to put upon the alter for Charlie’s Charter School…….